California Biographies
Burris, David
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Burris, David. The subject of this memoir, whose portrait appears in this work,
was born in Old Franklin, Cooper county, Missouri, January 6, 1824. When only
one year old, his parents moved to Jackson county; thence, in 1831, to Cass
county, and in 1842 settled in Johnson county, and during their residence in the
two latter counties, the subject of this sketch received his education in the
common schools. In the latter part of the Summer of 1846, during the Mexican
war, Mr. Burris was engaged in hauling provisions to Mexico, from Fort
Leavenworth, for the United States army. He arrived at Santa Fe in October, and
after remaining there about two weeks, left in company with one hundred and
fifteen men, to return to Fort Leavenworth. Before they left the Spanish
settlements, a number of his comrades were taken sick, and it was necessary to
select from the ranks, men to remain with those who were ill and see to their
wants; the balance of the company proceeding on their way. They were next
afflicted with the measles, and upon their arrival at a town called Picketwirey,
a man by the name of Joseph Read, was taken with the disease and died, and at
Bent's Fort, Arkansas, they left several more men, worn out with fatigue and
cold, a number of whom died. A few days after leaving their comrades, they
encountered a heavy snow storm, which impeded their progress very much. They
started with provisions enough to last them, provided they traveled every day,
but as they were snowed in, they were reduced to about one-quarter
rations—except they had plenty of buffalo meat, but were without that even for
six or eight days. Learning of a wagon load of pork, that had been cast away
some twenty-five miles distant, a number of the party hastened on at break of
day the next morning, making the distance and gaining the much coveted prize,
late in the evening. No sooner had they arrived than a tremendous storm from the
north arose, and to add to their misfortune and misery, there was no fuel nearer
than seven miles. They were then informed that the teams, which were left in the
rear, were ten miles back, and had been turned loose upon the snow by their
disheartened teamsters to perish. The company then divided, one-half going back
to the wagons. Night had now thrown her sable mantle over the earth, and soon
all was darkness. The subject of this sketch was one of the party who started
out, facing the merciless storm in search of wood, with great difficulty, for he
was weak from hunger and long suffering. Two men rode with all the possible
speed of their animals in advance of the company, in order to build a fire for
their approaching comrades. By this time Mr. Burris, who was sorely afflicted
with rheumatism, and his three comrades, were far in the rear. Breaking open a
barrel of pork and helping themselves to the "rare" dish, they pressed onward.
Soon all traces of the trail were obliterated by the drifting snow. At last they
saw a fire, which they supposed was a camp of hostile Indians, for it seemed to
be in quite a different direction from where they expected to find the party who
preceded them. Knowing that they could not possibly survive the storm, they
determined to push on in the direction of the camp-fire and leave their fate to
the supposed hostiles. Upon their arrival, however, they were surprised to find
that it was their own company, and there was much joy on their arrival, as it
was feared they were lost. The wind blew from the north a perfect hurricane, and
in order to get the benefit of the fire, and prevent being frosen to death, it
was necessary to stand or lie on the opposite side of the welcome fire, which
rendered it extremely obnoxious on account of the smoke and ashes above and the
snow and water beneath. About midnight some of the party became stupid and lay
down in the mud and water, while the smoke passed over them; the only resort to
keep from freezing. Mr. Burris and two other men had each an ax which they kept
in constant use all night—chopping wood by guess, as it was very dark. The next
evening the wagons arrived on the Pawnee Fork in Arkansas, about three miles
from camp. When they approached the wagons it was dark; they were very much
delayed, as they only had one shovel with which to clear the snow away for six
camps—and it was about midnight before they got their supper. Soon after, all of
their teams died from cold and hunger, and the men were turned out on foot,
almost destitute of rations and three hundred miles from the nearest settlement.
The express train conveyed the news relating to their condition, and wagons and
provisions were immediately forwarded. They were met at Council Grove, and
returned home last of February, 1847. Mr. McGuire, a resident of this county,
was captain of the company. To enter into the intricate details of the hardships
that were endured by Mr. Burris and party, would be too voluminous to relate. In
May, 1849, the Pleasant Hill company was formed to emigrate to California, Mr.
Burris and his eldest brother being members of the company, crossed the plains
on what was then known as Lawson's route. After leaving the Humboldt Sink, they
traveled seventy miles over a sage-brush desert without water, losing many of
their cattle, and the party suffering very much from thirst and hardship, which
few can realize unless having passed through a like experience. The party
reached Lawson's rancho on or about October 12th of that year, remaining there
one week, when the subject of our sketch and his brother went to Bidwell's Bar,
on Feather river, engaging in mining. The Winter of 1849 was an unusually rainy
one, and Mr. Burris, having no tools with which to build a house, was compelled
to live in a tent, which was a meagre protection from the cold and storms.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, and the hardships which perforce
of circumstances he was compelled to undergo, Mr. Burris was not idle, but
engaged in mining. Provisions of every kind were dear; beef and flour one dollar
and a half per pound, and other kinds of provisions in proportion. Wages were
sixteen dollars per day. In the Fall of 1850 he changed his residence to Huncut
diggings, Plumas county, California, where he met with fair success in his
search after the shining metal. From here he moved to this county in the Fall of
1851, settling in Sonoma valley, thence to the redwoods, where he was employed
till December 20, 1852, when he returned to Missouri, via Panama, and engaged in
farming and trading in stock. Again in the Spring of 1856 we find him on his way
to the Pacific slope, once more crossing the plains, and bringing with him a
herd of cattle. On their arrival at Humboldt creek, near the gravel ford, they
were attacked by sixteen well-armed and well-mounted Indians, who attempted to
dash in between the camp and the horses and cattle, but Mr. Burris was too quick
for them, and followed by one of his men dashed between the Indians and the
herd. One Indian fired, missing Mr. Burris, but shooting his comrade's mule,
when he made a hasty retreat to camp. The Indians charged Mr. Burris, but when
they would come within range he would present his weapon and they would throw
themselves on the side of their horses and retreat out of gunshot; thus he kept
them off till he was reinforced by his company. In the meantime two Indians
dashed up to within one hundred and fifty yards and one of them fired into camp,
shooting two boys at one shot, William Hopper And Harvey Pleasants. The wounds
were not serious and both recovered. Our emigrants proceeded on their way. On
his arrival in this State in the Winter of 1856-7, the subject of this sketch
settled in Napa county, but moved in the Fall of 1857 with his stock to King's
river, Tulare county, California. This river has its rise in the Sierra Nevada
mountains, and empties into Tulare lake, running through a valley from forty to
seventy-five miles wide, which at that time was occupied by wild horses and
antelope, with plenty of elk and bear about the lake. His comrades consisted of
A. Young, wife and little brother, and five families, scattered from one to
twelve miles apart. Here he commenced raising and trading in cattle till the
Spring of 1869, when he once more came to Sonoma valley, this county, settling
on his present farm, and is now one of the great land owners of the county,
besides being largely interested in banking. He was one of the founders of the
Santa Rosa Bank, and is now President of the Sonoma Valley Bank. He was married
in Sacramento City, California, on October 19, 1860, to Miss Julia Ann Wilburne.
She was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, June 24, 1841. The following are the
names and births of their children: Mary F., born October 19, 1861; Walter S.,
born December 3, 1862; Joshua S., born September 1, 1865; Edward E., born
October 25, 1867; Alice, February 14, 1870; Henry O, July 4, 1872; Laura B.,
October 11, 1874; M. F., November 16, 1876; Eudora, May 15, 1879.
Source: HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, Alley, Bowen & Co. 1880